Mammograms may significantly decrease breast cancer mortality

the ONA take:

A recent study funded by the Norwegian Research Council and published in the BMJ (formerly the British Medical Journal) offered evidence that mammograms can provide significant life-saving potential. in this study, the researchers followed the data for Norwegian women between 50 and 79 over a 24-year period (ending 2009) coinciding with a national screening effort. Their model compared breast cancer mortality in those including in the mammogram program, versus those not included. They estimated that approximately 368 women needed to be offered a mammogram to prevent one death, results similar to previous study data. They determined that screening lowers the breast cancer deaths by roughly 28 percent.

Lars Vattan, a study author, has stated that the sensitivity of the screening is problematic, as benign tumors are often detected by the screening.

Mammograms may significantly decrease breast cancer mortality

In the latest major study to consider whether the dangers of mammograms outweigh the benefits, experts say the tests can reduce the chances of dying from breast cancer by nearly 30 percent and that national screening programs should continue. A British review in 2012 concluded that for every life mammograms save, about three other women are unnecessarily treated for a cancer that would never have threatened their lives.